Healing Tree takes its name from Australia's famed Tea Tree and the phenomenal healing powers of Tea Tree oil(Melaleuca alternifolia). Tea Tree oil is a complex mixture of several different derivatives with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Healing Tree founder, Dr. Eric Witherspoon, began using Tea Tree oil over 25 years ago while working as an equine veterinarian. He discovered that Tea Tree oil was more effective in healing wounds and cuts than conventional treatments. Dr. Witherspoon began compounding solutions using other natural remedies, botanicals, and essential oils and developed Healing Tree's line of natural healing solutions based on the success of these formulations.

What Does 'Pharmaceutical Grade' Mean?

Pharmaceutical grade means the product is over 99% pure, with no fillers, binders or dyes. The Australian government grades Tea Tree oil before it ever leaves the continent on a basis from a pure, medicinal quality pharmaceutical grade, to a harsh, industrial-type cleaning grade. Healing Tree uses only pharmaceutical grade Tea Tree oil, which is over 37% terpinol (an aromatic oil) and less than 4% cineol (an oil found in eucalyptus), making it the safest, most soothing, least irritating Tea Tree oil available.

Are All 'Natural' Products or Ingredients the Same?

Absolutely not! There are a lot of 'Natural' products on the market today, but without carefully inspecting the ingredients, many consumers end up using products that are less than optimal. Buying the highest grade Tea Tree oil or Jojoba oil, for example, will ensure rapid healing for skin conditions, rather than further irritations. Another example would be Comfrey, a well-documented natural poultice and anti-inflammatory. Different parts of the plant, from the rhizomes to the roots, to the stems and leaves, contain higher, or lower, amounts of an alkaloid that can be harmful if ingested. At Healing Tree, we use comfrey that has been derived from those areas of the plants that have either minuscule or NO amounts of alkaloid. All Healing Tree products are absolutely FREE of alcohols, waxes, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, synthetic dyes, mineral oils, and fillers.

What is a 'Counterirritant' and why is it a Good Thing?

A counterirritant is an agent that causes local or superficial inflammation of the skin in order to relieve inflammation in deeper structure. We use the counterirritants Myrrh and pure Menthol, derived from Peppermint Oil, in our deeply soothing All Natural Muscle Rub. The Menthol cools and heats the skin, and the Myrrh encourages surface blood flow. By doing so, both ingredients help heal underlying inflammation and muscular soreness.

Why do you use Hydrocortisone in your Natural Products?

It's a great question and one we are frequently asked! Please see the "Smart Pharmaceuticals" tab under the Ingredients page for a full break down of the use of hydrocortisone and benzathonium chloride in several of our medicated ointments. The short answer is that we use a small amount (1%) hydrocortisone, an effective topical steroid, in some of our formulas to calm irritated or itchy skin. The hydrocortisone combines with ingredients like aloe, arnica, calendula and tea tree oil to optimize the healing benefits of each ingredient for rapid healing without a prescription.

Can you Cure Eczema and Psoriasis?

Unfortunately, no. Any company that claims to do so is misleading you. Eczema is the skin's response to an irritant and a red and itchy eczemic break out could be in response to an allergy or substance. There is no cure, but you can treat the symptoms. Likewise, Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system, meaning that the irritation, scaling, itching, redness and plaques are an external manifestation of an internal condition. No topical product can "cure" either condition, but Healing Tree's soothing formulas are designed to help alleviate the symptoms, calming irritated and broken skin, reducing redness and itching, and helping to manage the discomfort and prevent scarring. Regular application of Healing Tree products may also help to reduce the severity of future break outs. We recommend using our products topically in conjunction with a doctor recommended regimen.

Are Healing Tree products safe to use on kids and babies?

Healing Tree products are formulated to be gentle and effective for the whole family. However, most doctors recommend avoiding hydrocortisone (without a prescription) on children under the age of two. We also recommend that children avoid using the Natural Muscle Rub as it can be quite powerful with a strong menthol smell and affect. Several of our other products, such as the Natural Healing Cream and the Natural First Aid Spray are excellent for use on kids' cuts, scrapes and rashes, including diaper rash. When in doubt, always read the indications and 'use' on the labels and do a small patch test on the skin of the inner arm before application.